THE ABOMINABLE WOLF

GET OUT MISHA!

MISHA’S POV

"Get out, Misha!"

My aunt’s voice cracked through the tiny living room like thunder as she grabbed my arms tightly, forcing me out of the living room.

The baby in her arms, my little cousin Danny whimpered, then started to cry, his small fists clenching against her shoulder. She rocked him gently, but her glare stayed locked on me. It was cold, sharp, and full of disgust, like she was looking at something rotten.

I stood there frozen, my backpack hanging from one arm. My chest burned, and my fingers felt numb around the strap. I had heard those words before. Whispered behind closed doors. Spat in the marketplace. Hissed by neighbours. But never like this.

Never final. Never meant to erase me.

"Auntie"

"Don’t call me that," she snapped, her voice cutting through the air. "You cursed child. Haven’t you done enough? You took my sister. You took her husband. And now you want to drag me and my boy down too?Danny is sick, and it's all because of your curse, I'm not sacrificing the only family I have left because of you Misha, I have accommodated you in expense of my own life. No more!"

Her words hit harder than any slap could. Each one landed deep, heavy, and cruel, like she had been waiting for this moment. I swallowed hard, fighting the lump rising in my throat.

"I didn’t kill them," I said quietly, but even I could hear how weak it sounded.

She laughed, a low bitter sound. "Don’t you dare lie to me. The night your parents died, the signs were clear. Fire. Blood. Screams. And you, standing there without a scratch. I should have sent you away when everyone warned me"

Her voice trembled as she looked at me like I was something unnatural. "Everyone knows what you are, Misha. A witch. A curse."

The baby calmed a little, like even he could feel the storm in her voice. She stroked his tiny head, whispering to him softly, like he needed protection from me.

I wanted to scream that she was wrong. That my mother was good. That she had died protecting us, not cursing us. But what was the point? The world had already decided who I was. I had been branded a monster long ago. Half-breed. Abomination. Curse.

I bit my tongue until I tasted blood.

"Go," she hissed. "The school sent their bus for you. Take your demons with you."

Her words should have broken me, but instead, a bitter laugh almost slipped out. If only she knew how badly I wanted to leave.

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and walked toward the door. The linoleum floor creaked under my shoes, the same way it always did, but this time, it sounded like goodbye.

When I stepped outside, the neighbourhood was waiting. Of course they were.

Mrs. Elkins from across the street whispered something to her husband, just loud enough for me to hear.

"At last. That girl is gone."

Kids pointed and snickered. Someone actually clapped. My cheeks burned, but I kept my chin up and stared straight ahead, pretending their celebration didn’t sting like salt on a wound.

"Good riddance," someone muttered.

I wanted to shout back that I never wanted to be here anyway.

Instead, I shoved my hands into my pockets and kept walking. My pulse thudded in my ears. Every step toward the curb felt heavier than the last.

Then, as if on cue, the bus arrived.

It wasn’t yellow or cheerful like the ones that took normal kids to normal schools. It was black, sleek, and polished. The surface shimmered faintly under the sunlight, like oil floating on water. The windows were tinted so dark they looked alive, hiding everything inside.

The driver didn’t step out.

The door creaked open on its own, slow and heavy, as if it had been expecting me.

I froze for a second, my heart pounding in my chest.

Behind me, the neighbours were still watching. My aunt stood at the doorway, and her baby pressed close. For the first time in years, her face looked lighter. Relief washed over her features like she had finally been freed.

I realized then that I had been her burden all along.

That hurt more than anything else.

I climbed the steps, the metal cold beneath my shoes. The door hissed shut behind me, sealing me away from everything I had ever known.

As the engine rumbled to life, I turned to look out the window.

The street was already celebrating. Smiles, laughter, the sound of relief carried through the air. Kids danced. Neighbours nodded to each other. My aunt stood in the doorway, a faint smile on her face as she kissed her son’s head.

Finally, the cursed girl is gone.

My chest ached so much I had to press my hand over it. It didn’t help.

No friends. No family. No one to miss me.

Maybe they were right. Maybe I was cursed.

Still, I turned to face forward. Whatever waited at Monster Heart Academy couldn’t possibly be worse than this. At least that’s what I wanted to believe.

The bus hummed as it pulled away, leaving Denkville, the only home I had ever known, shrinking behind me. I rested my forehead against the cold glass and watched everything blur past.

Seventeen years in Denkville, and I couldn’t name one real friend. Not one. No sleepovers. No whispered secrets. No one waiting for me after school. Just stares, whispers, and locked doors. Denkville wasn’t just my home. It was my cage.

And now, I was finally free of it.

I hugged my backpack close, pressing my chin against the frayed strap.

Maybe this new school would be different. Maybe this was where my story really began.

Or maybe it would be the place where I finally learned why everyone was right to fear me.